Stallions Coach In Tears As His ‘Young Players’ Lift The Farebrother
An emotional Nadroga rugby coach Etonia Naba was speechless after his young side beat Jack’s Nadi 20-19 to claim the INKK Fiji Rugby Farebrother Trophy at a jam-packed Prince Charles Park, Nadi, today.
“We had a tough year,” Naba said.
“Lots of challenges but I told these young boys to keep working hard. This win is for the Lord and the people of Nadroga.
Veteran Nadroga No.8 Eremasi Radrodro said, he had to keep reminding the players that they have to give everything they’ve got.
“I told these young boys ‘give what you’ve got and this is your season’.
I kept telling them that today will never come back and they have got to give everything if we want to go back home with the Farebrother Trophy.”
The toast of Nadroga’s win was 20-year-old fullback Jack Volavola who scored a try, kicked over a conversion and the winning penalty for a personal tally of 10 points.
What happened: Volavola scored Nadroga’s first try as they led 5-0 but the hosts replied with a forward move that saw Ilisoni Galala driven over to score as they were levelled 5-5.
Nadroga’s dominance in the scrum gave them the upper hand as Jioji Kunavula sliced through a gap to score the second try with Volavola’s conversion going over for a 12-5 lead.
Nadi again hit back with a series of forward drives close to the Nadroga tryline before Navitalai Druaiono was able to dive over to score with Semsa Muadonu adding the extras.
It was right on halftime when Nadroga halfback Taitusi Lulusini scored their third try with the conversion missing.
Halftime: Nadi 12-17 Nadroga.
The second half started with a bang as both teams tried to get the upperhand. The Stallions winger Timoci Rakuro got a yellow card for a late tackle on Solomoni Tavai.
With that advantage Nadi struck with a try in the 64th minute to Peceli Ratu from a rolling maul and Muadonu converted as they led 19-17.
Following that Nadi’s Aminio Naseyara copped a yellow card for a high tackle on Jone Dukumoi.
Nadroga kept on the pressure and Volavola stepped up to kick over a penalty in the 76th minute to put them ahead again 20-19.
LINE-UPS
Nadi: 1. Tomasi Nawaqa, 2. Viliame Tui, 3. Josua Kotobalavu, 4. Sitiveni Yabaki, 5. Sivaniolo Lumelume, 6. Jolame Luvevou, 7. Ilisoni Galala, 8. Veniona Vuki, 9. Navitalai Druaiono, 10. Semesa Muadonu, 11. Solomoni Tavai, 12. Vilive Aria, 13. Eseroma Nabalawa, 14. Jiutasa Nave, 15. Tevita Mociu.
Reserves: 16. Peceli Ratu, 17. Kenneth Delai, 18. Joseva Nadolo, 19. Aporosa Saukuru, 20. Jaoji Koroimataitini, 21. Jiuta Muatabu, 22. Orisi Erenavula, 23. Aminio Naseyara.
Nadroga: 1. Aisake Atani, 2. Ratunaisa Navuma (captain), 3. Taniela Vatunicoko, 4. Orisi Navavau, 5. Josaia Cokaibusa, 6. Jiuta Biau, 7. Jioji Kunavula, 8. Eremasi Radrodro, 9. Taitusi Lulusini, 10. Peni Kedralevu, 11. Jone Dukumoi, 12. Maikeli Naitokani, 13. Eseroma Rikou, 14. Taniela Rakuro, 15. Jack Volavola.
Reserves: 16. Manoa Mocelutu, 17. Simione Bulai, 18. Ilaitia Sela, 19. Napolioni Bakewa, 20. Sakiusa Vosayaco, 21. Lilo Vasuivalu, 22. Apimeleki Nabore, 23. Panapasa Qeruqeru.
Feedback: waisean@fijisun.com.fj
